The Year That Was in Early Childhood Education 2025

The past year in early childhood education has been one of the most confronting, transformative, and clarifying periods our sector has faced in a long time. It was a year where long‑standing cracks became impossible to ignore, where long‑awaited reforms finally began to move, and where educators, leaders, and families continued to show extraordinary resilience in the face of relentless pressure.

From wage reform to compliance shifts, from safeguarding failures to renewed conversations about purpose, 2025 forced us to look closely at what we value, what we tolerate, and what we refuse to carry forward. And through it all, the heart of the sector the people who show up for children every day continued to hold communities together with professionalism, care, and courage.

Here’s a look back at the year that shaped us.

1. Workforce Reform Finally Took Centre Stage

This year marked a turning point in long‑awaited workforce reform, with several major updates published by Aussie Childcare Network:

• Wage increases for Cert III and Diploma educators were confirmed, with structured rises rolling out over five years starting March 2026.

• A new classification structure was introduced to address gender‑based undervaluation and modernise the Children’s Services Award.

• Cooks in children’s services received long‑overdue recognition, with new award rules acknowledging their broader contribution to curriculum and wellbeing.

These reforms signalled a long‑overdue shift toward valuing the people who hold the sector together.

2. Compliance Tightened Across the Country

Regulatory bodies increased visibility and accountability this year, with several key developments:

• The national rollout of unannounced spot checks highlighted a shift toward proactive compliance.

• A surge in fake qualifications prompted urgent reminders for leaders to verify authenticity and strengthen recruitment processes.

• The Kelleher incident, involving an inexperienced educator left unsupervised, sparked national discussion about induction, staffing, and supervision.

• These stories reinforced the need for strong systems, not just strong intentions.

3. Safety and Trust Were Front and Centre

One of the most distressing stories of the year was the case of Joshua Dale Brown, with charges rising to 156 alleged offences.

This case shook the sector and reinforced the urgent need for trauma‑informed leadership, rigorous safeguarding systems, and a culture where concerns are raised early and acted on decisively.

4. The Sector Continued to Ask Big Questions About Profit and Purpose

With 90% of new providers being for‑profit, public debate intensified around whether early childhood education should operate as a market or a public good.

Educators and teachers also voiced concerns that reforms were increasing administrative load, pushing many to breaking point and eroding the joy of teaching.

These conversations signalled a sector grappling with identity, sustainability, and purpose.

5. Professional Learning and Leadership Support Grew

A national webinar series on the role of the Nominated Supervisor reflected the sector’s hunger for clearer guidance, stronger leadership capability, and shared professional standards.

6. Cultural Responsiveness and Planning Resources Expanded

The release of the 2026 Cultural Celebrations Calendar supported services in planning meaningful, inclusive experiences across the year.

Overall Sector Mood: A Year of Reckoning and Resilience

2025 was a year where the sector confronted:

• long‑standing undervaluation,
• systemic safety failures,
• workforce shortages,
• and the tension between profit and pedagogy.

But it was also a year of:

• long‑awaited wage reform,
• stronger compliance systems,
• clearer leadership expectations,
• and renewed conversations about what children truly deserve.

It felt like a turning point not yet comfortable, but undeniably transformative.

As we close the chapter on this year, one truth stands out: the sector is changing, and we are no longer whispering about what needs to shift — we are naming it, documenting it, and demanding it together.

The challenges were real and, in many cases painful. But they also created momentum. They sharpened our advocacy. They strengthened our resolve. They reminded us that early childhood education is not just a service—it is a public good, a cultural foundation, and a profession deserving of respect, safety, and sustainable conditions.

The year ahead will bring its own complexities, but it will also bring opportunity:

• to embed reforms with integrity,
• to restore joy and meaning to practice,
• to protect children with stronger systems,
• and to continue building a sector where educators are valued, trusted, and supported.

Here’s to stepping into the new year with clarity, courage, and a collective voice that is only growing stronger.

Read news here: Early Childhood News 2025